Over spring break, UTM took at least one drastic step aimed at keeping students on campus safe from the Coronavirus.
On March 6, the university put out a press release stating that all international travel studies scheduled for Maymester would be cancelled. All international travel for employees would be suspended indefinitely.
In an email to faculty and staff, Chancellor Keith Carver explained the decision, stating, “While this news will be disappointing for many, and particularly for our students enrolled in Maymester travel courses, these changes are in the best interest of our university community at this moment.”
While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Tennessee, the university did the smart thing in suspending international travel. Italy, a country with which UTM has strong ties given our partnership with the University of Sienna, has been particularly impacted by the disease with over 7,000 infected and millions under quarantine.
Ultimately, the question is this: will classes ground to a halt over COVID-19?
That will depend both on the virus and on UTM students and faculty. If the virus doesn’t spread to West Tennessee and (as some medical experts suggest) it fizzles out with warmer spring temperatures, then classes might remain unaffected. Even if coronavirus isn’t brought in from outside the area, it could be brought directly to UTM by careless students or employees, reinforcing the need for everyone to limit unnecessary travel.
If fears over the virus do close the campus, professors are preparing to teach the remainder of the semester online.
Ultimately, the prognosis is worrying. Especially as news spreads of a fourth case in the state, in Davidson County. All our care and preparation may be too little too late.
